The Maldives evoke idyllic images of overwater bungalows and pristine beaches. However, visitors are often surprised to find that there is more to do in the Maldives than they expected. There is something for everyone, whether you prefer active or inactive holidays. This makes the Maldives a very versatile destination! Read on to see what activities are popular.
Snorkeling
The Maldives are made up of more than 1,000 coral islands. Therefore, snorkeling is naturally spectacular! All resorts in the Maldives offer this activity. However, ideally, you will want to choose an island with an on-site reef where you can snorkel directly from the beach (or your villa on the water!) Rather than a boat trip organized at the beach. 'advanced.
The quality of the reefs varies. Angsana Ihuru, in the North Male Atoll, is considered by many to be the best reef in the Maldives and the resort is easily accessible by speed boat from Male. In the same area, the Fihalhohi Island Resort is excellent.
Dive into the reefs and meet sea creatures
The Maldives is considered one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world. You will be able to approach and familiarize yourself with an abundance of marine creatures, including turtles, mantra rays, moray eels and rare whale sharks. Varied reef structures and deep channels offer interesting diving opportunities.
If you like scuba diving, the best option is to book a boat cruise. These luxury cruise ships visit some of the most remote reefs and allow you to explore places beyond the reach of Maldives seaside resorts. The best time to dive is from January to April. However, most cruise ships operate from November to May. The main options are Carpe Diem Maldives and Maldive Mosaique.
Banana Reef, in North Male Atoll, was the first Maldives dive site to be discovered and remains very popular. Some islands that surround it are Farukolhufushi, Fullmoon and Kurumba.
Spot the dolphins
The Maldives are not only known for their snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also one of the best destinations for dolphins in the world. Dolphins are everywhere in the Maldives. They are really friendly and are often known for swimming up to the tourist boats. They can even swim in front of your villa on the water!
In the Maldives, many resorts offer dolphin watching tours as part of their usual experiences. However, observations are not guaranteed. To maximize your chances of discovering, head to the little-known Meemu atoll and its Muli channel (the success rate would be 85%). There are only two resorts in the area - Medhufushi Island Resort and Hakuraa Hura.
Enjoy water sports
All kinds of water sports are possible in the Maldives. Kayak, paddle board, jet-ski, water skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, wake-boarding, kite-surfing - and so much more! Many resorts offer a selection of these activities for free.
For an extra boost of adrenaline, the Four Seasons Resort in Landaa Giraavar and the Lily Beach Resort are two beach resorts in the Maldives that have turbojet engines that propel you out of the water.
Take a wave
You can even catch a wave in the Maldives! Most of the famous surf spots are located around Male. The surf season runs from March to October, with big swells from June to August.
Atoll Adventures offers surf packages to Cinnamon Dhonveli on Farukolhufushi Island in the North Male Atoll, with exclusive access to the surf spot at the Pasta Point Resort (the most regular break in the region). ). The resort has a program specifically designed for surfers and a maximum of 30 surfers are allowed at a time.
Cruise around the Maldives
You do not want to spend all your time in a resort in the Maldives? Boat cruises are a popular thing to do, with various options, from sunset cruises in local dhonis to longer cruises of one night or several days.
Explore Male
Male, the capital of the Maldives, is densely compressed on an island of about two square kilometers. It's one of the smallest capitals in the world! Most visitors bypass it to the idyllic and uninhabited islands of the country. However, culture lovers will find it an interesting place to explore. There are mosques, museums and markets. Moreover, thanks to its compact size, it takes only a few hours to walk around.
